Trent smiled bitterly at Helen.
‘Many a time you accused me of being controlling and smothering, but when did I ever intrude on your personal time? I may have voiced my opinions of the company you kept, but I never just popped up after business hours, nor did I move you right next door to me, or demand to know where you planned to be twenty four seven.’
He looked rueful then.
‘I blame myself entirely. If I hadn’t mismanaged your career, you wouldn't have turned to this snake in the grass in the first place. Just remember you have a right to a personal life’
Newman looked a bit nervous with my Uncle and Trent both towering over him.
‘I can see your still bitter over Helen signing with me. As for intruding on Helen’s personal time...I always assumed she’d tell me if she wanted some time alone. It’s just that she and Reg are the only family I have at the moment.’


‘That’s your own fault!’
Uncle Remington got around Trent and poked Newman in the chest.
‘As for Lanie, if you ever make any attempt to contact her or show up when you think I’m not around, I’ll have you in court!’


‘There’s no need.’ Newman quickly reassured Uncle Remington.
‘I’d never do that. I just wanted Lanie to know that she could call me if she should ever need too.’
He smiled sardonically at Trent.
‘You’ve also made me realise that I have over stepped my professional boundaries. I certainly don’t want to make any of the same mistakes you’ve made.’
Then turning to Helen.
‘I guess I’ll see you at four a.m. sharp. It truly was chance that I found you here. I should have kept driving and left you alone...it’s that I’ve been so concerned about Reg.’
‘I’ll walk out with you.’ Helen told him. ‘We really do need to talk. Wait for me outside, please.’
‘As you wish.’ Newman gave her a curt little bow before he stalked out.


After he left, Helen appealed to my Uncle.
‘Remington, I truly believe Dex is sorry about the past. You may not want to hear this, but he really cares about you. However; I can respect how you must feel. It would be hard to forgive someone that both physically and mentally abused me. I won’t try to force you two to be friends. I just kind hoped that if everyone got along, we could work together more.’
‘Helen, Darling, please be careful. Don’t go home with Newman and certainly don’t drink anything he offers you. Go to your own place and wait up for that idiot you married. Talk to your husband. Don’t let Newman alienate the two of you.’
‘My problems with Reggie have nothing to do with Dex.’
‘I always told you Harris was bad news.’ Trent couldn’t resist.
My Uncle shot Trent a look that quickly silenced him.


Helen smiled at Trent and hugged him.
‘As much as I enjoy working with Dex, I won’t ever feel that he’s family. In spite of the problems we’ve had, I’ve missed you so much. I also want you to know how proud I am of all the positive things that have happened since.’
We all knew she was referring to Trent’s giving up alcohol.
‘If I could only take back the stupid things I said and did when...’
‘Don’t. Let’s not go over it again. I think we’ve both learned from the experience.'
Helen cast a quick glance toward the entrance of the coffee shop.
When my contract is up with Dex, I’ll need a new manager...’
‘You can manage your own career.’ Trent’s voice was gruff.
He gave her a quick kiss.
‘You’re A list now. You won’t need an agent.’


My Uncle also embraced Helen and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
‘Take my advice. Talk to Renfield when he gets home. If he needs straightening out you call me.’


‘Give our regards to your family.’ Trent told her when I also hugged Helen.
I really didn’t want to let go. I had a sudden scary feeling I might never see her again.
‘I’ll talk to Pop.’ Helen told Trent. ‘It won’t hurt if you called him. I doubt he’ll hang up.’
‘I ran into Tony at party a few months ago. I got the message that we we’re no longer best friends. I can’t say that I blame him at all.'


The three of us watched as Helen walked out into the night.
‘Number 23!’ the cashier called out.
‘Please have them pack our food to go.’ my Uncle begged Trent. ‘I really just want to go home.’
‘All right,’ Trent readily agreed.
He gave my Uncle’s arm a quick squeeze.
‘I’m not hungry anymore either.’
Neither was I.


Coming Next: Lanie's narrative is hijacked by several of the other characters in the next few chapters.
First up: Helen.